Archives for August 2012

GOLDSBORO — An idealistic partnership of academics, community leaders and local teens here is trying a novel solution to the national problem of poor nutrition in low-income neighborhoods: rickshaws.
Or rather, teenage food ambassadors on rickshaws, delivering farmers market produce to areas where places to buy fresh vegetables are scarce. Along the way, they spread information about healthy eating.
The Produce Ped’lers bike delivery program made its first delivery rides Wednesday. The riders loaded up vegetables, peaches and melons at a small farmers market in Herman Park in Goldsboro in the morning, then rolled into low-income neighborhoods. They stopped at homes and shops to deliver pre-ordered vegetables, talked to potential customers sitting on front porches and were themselves questioned by others who wondered aloud what the heck they were up to on those strange machines.

By Alan Briggs, Executive Director N.C. Assoc of Food Banks
North Carolina’s seven food banks see firsthand the effect the nation’s struggling economy has had on our neighbors. Many families are still hurting from the impact of high and prolonged unemployment, reduced hours and wages or the struggle to live on a single salary.
North Carolina has one of the highest unemployment rates and percentage of citizens experiencing food hardship in the nation. This is especially true for children under age 5 and our seniors.
Food banks across the nation continue to see unprecedented need. The number of people seeking emergency food assistance from the Feeding America network of food banks ballooned by 46 percent from 2006 to 2010. In North Carolina the growth was higher.

How America’s Losing The War On Poverty

by NPR Staff

August 4, 2012

While President Obama and Gov. Romney battle for the hearts and minds of the middle class this election season, there’s a huge swath of Americans that are largely ignored. It’s the poor, and their ranks are growing.

According to a recent survey by The Associated Press, the number of Americans living at or below the poverty line will reach its highest point since President Johnson made his famous declaration of war on poverty in 1964.